BUKIT MERTAJAM: Europe’s largest carmaker Volkswagen AG (VW) is looking to export its Malaysian-assembled Jetta and Polo Sedan models to countries in Asia next year.

Volkswagen Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Armin Keller said there are ongoing discussions with the federal government and DRB-Hicom Bhd on how this could be achieved.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Keller said VW Malaysia had achieved its goal of having more than 40% local content included in its locally-assembled models.

“We plan to export the Jetta and Polo Sedan models beginning next year,” he said.

VW Malaysia, which has a 2% market share in the domestic passenger car market, assembles models such as Polo, Passat and Jetta at DRB-Hicom’s plant in Pekan, Pahang, which produces between 7,000 and 8,000 units annually.

On the outlook for next year, Keller said the company will stress on improving customer satisfaction after facing complaints from buyers on its after-sales services.

He said VW Malaysia is not keen on capturing market share through trade discounts if it means neglecting customer satisfaction.

Last year, VW Malaysia delivered 11,700 vehicles.

Keller said the company has 12 dealerships in the northern region, and aims to increase service capacity by 30%.

He said VW Malaysia will continue its partnership with Goh Brothers Motor Sdn Bhd, which will be expanding its services to the Klang Valley after establishing seven outlets in the northern region over the past seven years.

“The northern region offers a big opportunity for us and our partners. With increasing customer base and rising demand for quality after-sales service, we will continue to focus on our national presence and improve our customer service strategy,” said said Keller.

Goh Brothers executive chairman Goh Kian Sin said a new service outlet will be opened in Taiping, while a full-fledged service centre would be rebuilt in Batu Caves, Selangor.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on November 19, 2014.